Editing Hellmuth Hirth (section)

==Biography==
Hirth was born in [[Heilbronn]], the son of engineer and tool-maker Albert Hirth. He was the elder brother of [[Wolf Hirth]] who would go on to become a famous [[sailplane]] designer and manufacturer.

As a young man, Hirth was sent to the [[United States]] to train with the [[General Electric|Edison General Electric Company]] as a mechanic. While abroad, he developed an interest in aircraft, and on his return to Germany in 1909 became involved with the emerging industry. He built his own aircraft in 1910 and soon went to work for the [[Luftschiffbau Zeppelin|Zeppelin Company]] building [[airship]]s. He also became a prominent pilot.

Since 1914 he was a [[Leutnant]] of the [[Luftstreitkräfte|Fliegertruppe]], winning the Iron Cross II and being severely wounded.

In 1920, he founded his own company to manufacture engine components out of light alloys, and by 1927 split the company in order to focus more closely on the aero engine side of the business.